We need targets for hydrogen energy infrastructure rollout

08.07.2020 11:20

We need targets for hydrogen energy infrastructure rollout

Petrol

“A gap between the CO2-cutting strategy and the plans for the rollout of renewable energies in Europe", deplored Christian Ehler MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, ahead of today’s strategy announcement by the European Commission to boost renewable hydrogen production.

"While the EU has very clear 10-year climate goals until 2030, we are lacking an overall 10-year plan defining research, innovation, infrastructure, industry and digitalisation targets, which all need to come together to achieve economic recovery, energy transition and long-term growth and jobs", said Ehler.

"The Recovery Package makes reference to the hydrogen alliance, but we lack a clear plan on how to invest in the relevant infrastructure as well as the needed push for Member States to support investments in this area. An overall methodology must connect all the different initiatives into a functional system", Ehler continued.

"We need to set targets to build the necessary energy infrastructure as well as to make hydrogen sufficiently available as an important bridge technology to decarbonise energy-intensive energy sectors", he insisted.

The EPP Group insists on creating a full hydrogen value chain and on streamlining energy systems in Europe. “We need a comprehensive European plan to ensure that the current and future gas infrastructure is able to promote hydrogen to the necessary level. The hydrogen strategy needs to clarify the transition role that hydrogen from natural gas can play in order to kick-start market up-take”, Ehler added.

He also called for greater efforts to remove obstacles hindering the full integration of energy systems which would otherwise encourage citizens and industry to fully embrace cleaner energy alternatives. “There will be no Green Deal without the better integration of the energy system. This is necessary to achieve a cost-effective decarbonisation of the EU economies. It will build a more flexible, more decentralised and digital energy system in which consumers are empowered to make their energy choices", Ehler concluded.

Note to editors

The EPP Group is the largest political group in the European Parliament with 187 Members from all EU Member States

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